Why Attend

Timberland's effectiveness as an inflation hedge is well documented - since 1970, Timberland Investments has outperformed inflation by an average of 3.3% a year. The returns have compared favorably with those of the stock market, too: over the same time period, investments in timberland have returned an average of 15% a year, whereas the stock market has averaged only 11%.

And what's more, Timberland Investments is uncorrelated with the wider financial system, making it even more attractive during periods of economic uncertainty and volatility.

Whatever the state of the economy, whatever wars are being fought, whatever president is in power: trees are always growing. And as they grow, they become potentially more valuable. Not only does the volume of their timber increase, but, depending on the underlying market demand for saw logs, pulp logs and timber, they can increase significantly in price as well.

Specialist timber investors understand all this, but several forces are converging in 2009 and beyond that will help to make the asset class even more attractive – and to a wider pool of investors – than in previous years. Firstly, many economists feel that the Obama stimulus plan is storing up significant inflationary pressures for the future. Over the last century, timberland has outperformed inflation by an average of 3.3% a year, making it one of the most effective inflation hedges available. There are currently strong indications that timber prices have the potential to outstrip the general inflation rate in North America.

Moreover, 2009 is currently witnessing a fundamental shift in the balance of supply and demand. Although lumber demand has declined in absolute terms since 2004, the supply side of the equation has been significantly affected by a number of factors including pine beetle infestations in British Columbia and Colorado, harvest cut backs in Eastern Canada, and stringent export tariffs in Russia. These supply-side developments may not be positive in themselves. But, in relation to the expected recovery in demand, they point towards potentially significant future increases in the price of timber.

The 7th Timberland Investment Summit is a must-attend conference for all senior executives from the entire timberlands value chain including pension funds, endowment funds, hedge funds, TIMOs, private landowners, forest management companies, law firms, and banks.

View our special offers and register your seat today!